Podcasts, radio shows, writing and more by Alex Fitch

Today’s show: A Cartoon History of Private Eye

Today at 4.30pm on Resonance 104.4 FM, Panel Borders: A Cartoon History of Private Eye

A classic Gerald Scarfe cover from 1965 / Private Eye: A Cartoon History book cover / recent cartoon by Alexander Williams / inside spread from A Cartoon History

Continuing a month of shows about comics and controversy, guest presenter Tom Sutcliffe talks to Nick Newman (author of Private Eye: A Cartoon History) and magazine editor Ian Hislop about memorable and controversial cartoons and strips in the fortnightly periodical. The trio discuss the history of cartoon art in Private Eye from the days of scurrilous Gerald Scarfe covers to the present day, which images have proved unacceptable and potentially libellous and how Hislop’s commissioning process for the magazine works. Recorded at the Victoria and Albert Museum, November 2013 and edited by Alex Fitch.

Sally Heathcote: Suffragette is a gripping inside story of the campaign for the vote. A tale of loyalty, love and courage, set against a vividly realized backdrop of Edwardian Britain, it follows the fortunes of a maid-of-all-work swept up in the feminist militancy of the era and is another stunning collaboration from Costa-award winners, Mary and Bryan Talbot. Teamed up with acclaimed illustrator, Kate Charlesworth, Sally Heathcote’s lavish pages bring history to life.

Saturday May 17th, 2-3pm

Becky Cloonan signing

Becky Cloonan is collecting her Wolves Trilogy (Wolves, The Mire and Demeter) into one superb hard cover graphic novel, By Chance Or Providence, out through Lounak Studios (who have plenty of lovely stuff on their website).She’s be launching it in London, at Gosh!, with a good ol’ knees-up and many bottles of wine.

Various Australasian comic book creators are in London and are featured in documentary screenings for the Australia and New Zealand festival of literature and the arts taking place from 30th May – 1st June. These include: